Myla TOOTH!!! Tyler Dentist Appt

She has a top tooth! and the bottom one is starting to break though too! At her 9 month appointment she was 23 lbs at 97% (dropped back onto the chart!) and her height still skyrocketing off the chart at 31"! At Tyler's 9 month appointment he was 30" and 24. lbs.


Tyler went to his first dentist appointment! he did so good! I will post a picture as soon as I learn how to get it off my phone? All was A-OK. wow all that hard work of making him brush his teeth and doing it for him is paying off so far...but man i can't even get myself to brush my teeth...ick, i know...it's just not my thing, unlike Scott who brushes his teeth 5 times a day it seems!



I finally finished my Christmas blog, but thought I'd catch up on some other happenings in 2011. My dad made his annual trip down here in January. It was the best trip yet. He was so willing and offering to watch the kids (all by himself!). Scott and I got to go play 9 holes of golf one afternoon and had a date night Saturday night (we went to church and dinner). My dad said he made the mistake of telling Tyler that we went to Church and he had quite a fit that we went without him! Dad had to send him to our room to cry it out because Myla was sleeping. We never would have known because when we walked in tyler was on top of granddad's head climbing over the couch and Myla was on granddad's lap just laughing away. it was priceless. it will be in my memories forever! I love it when we have visitors from my side of the family because it's perfect excuse for JJ and us to plan out an actual week and we get to see them practically every day! I love setting up the itinerary, making dinners, watching shows, playing with the kids...etc. So please come visit us more....before JJ leave us and head back to the midwest!!! They have their house on the market and from what I read have buried Saint Joseph in their yard...so it shouldn't be too long before they are out of here. I am most sad for Tyler's sake, he LOVES spending playdates with his Aunt Jenny and is looking forward to growing big enough that he can go golfing with Uncle Johne (as I did last week with Johne). Johne and I have set up Wed golf and I am getting babysitters so I can walk 9 holes with him, hoping to work up to playing 18 with him, but man I was tired after walking 9 the other day. the weather has been great and it isn't even March yet! Myla is getting her 9 month pictures done this week...so hopefully they will at least be here in May still to get her 1 year pics done and then we'll have to work out her 2 year pics somehow. But I am so grateful for all these pictures I get of my kids...they change so much in their first year it's crazy!

I'm still plugging away at home...man it's an exhausting but so rewarding! I love being with the kids and just knowing that I am with them and am here for them. Scott has been working a lot of crazy hours and sometimes takes calls and works at night so it's good that I am pretty stable...unless I plan a girls thing out! Scott is only doing Real Estate stuff as of today pretty much! He resigned, more or less, from his medical sales job. Here's to taking a leap of faith, trusting God to provide for all of our means. What I'm most thankful of all is that Scott can go full force 100% with his passion! We purchased an individual insurance plan for medical, the premium low enough that I didn't have to go back to work, that may change one day, but I trust this is where God wants me and we'll make up the rest later. Scott is amazing at Real Estate and has learned so much and has great investor clients and I know he'll get so much more. I am so excited for him I can't stand it. I love him so much and am so proud of him! This is an answer to prayer and God's timing is perfect!

Cousins Christmas

Christmas...yes, I know it's almost Feb (now Mar.). I wish I knew how to just get on here down load a pic or two and write a quick blog and get off...it doesn't happen...it always takes an hour or so. So, here I go with another monster blog about our Christmas 2010 and Iowa trip:

It seemed as if our Christmas was never going to end...we started on Dec. 22nd with Early Christmas Eve at Scott's parents house. I am so thankful that Scott's family is so understanding and willing to accommodate us going to Iowa every other year for Christmas. I really liked the way it played out because we also got to have a real Christmas at our house on the 23rd just our family (Scott's parents joined us for breakfast too). We had a nice turkey dinner on the 22nd and opened a crazy amount of gifts from everyone and gave our gifts as well. It was really fun watching tyler open not only for him but for Myla too! Since Johne and Jenny weren't coming home to Iowa again this year for Christmas we had them join us too. It was really special for me to share a Christmas Eve with them too! Presents included tools and clothes for Scott, dishes and clothes and socks for me, all weather corntoss for myla and Tyler and lots of toys and babies for myla, cars and fishing games for Tyler. we had a blast.

Christmas morning (Sav) Tyler got a Thomas shaky bridge train set and myla got a ball popper toy. His face when he saw that Santa came was priceless, of course he went right to myla's toy first...go figure! We had breakfast with grandma and grandpa and then opened a few more gifts. Scott got lots of clothes and a special pillow (handmade from me:)). I got a new laptop (typing on right now) and a kitchen technology center...a TV in the kitchen to watch the news while Tyler watches his cartoons, this I think was from Tyler :). Tyler also painted me some pictures for Christmas. After all that fun was over we packed up and headed to Atlanta to spend the night at a hotel and catch a plane to Iowa for the rest of Christmas.

Everything worked out perfectly and we landed in Iowa around 11am for Christmas Eve celebration at my moms house with all the cousins! Our first mistake was putting Tyler down for a nap...he woke up on the wrong side of the bed and there were lots of people in the house and had quite an anxiety meltdown. but finally things calmed down after about an hour and pictures were taken. Tyler's cousin Lindsay sang me Santa's coming to town! She is only 4 months older than Tyler! I was impressed! Lindsay has a new baby sister Casey that was born on Tyler's birthday. Arianna was there and we were determined to get a picture of all the cousins in there Christmas attire...and they looked so cute! We did a cousins gift exchange (oldest to youngest...for the record) starting with Lindsay. And the rest of the night the kids played hide and seek (hiding in the same spot every time under the table). and throw up...yep...they threw up their stuffed animals all the way to the ceiling fan over and over again. After all the excitement I thought for sure we wouldn't play our annual Trivial Pursuit game....but the Adults rallied and we played! the kids even did some rolling. the guys won in quite a fast game...but it was the highlight of my Christmas Eve to play!

Christmas morning was even more fun with Tyler continuing to open gift after gift after gift. He also opened Myla's too!

the rest of the week was planned for more cousins events. Ice Skating with the grandma's, pool fun at Adventureland indoor hotel pool, New Years Eve at Aunt Chris's. Chris and Carla took all three kids to Jordan Creek soft play...yay for Maria and I! We celebrated New Years a little early somewhere between 8-8:15pm! Complete with pictures, horns, and hats! Since Scott was already back in Savannah and I still had quite a few babysitters I snuck away twice to see a movie: True Grit with my mom while Uncle Jimmy and Ginny babysat Tyler and Grandma babysat Myla AND Little Fockers with my grandma while my parents babysat. It was a great time in Iowa and Tyler really loved hanging out with Ernie and all the family.


Lindsay and Tyler-Pool Slide at Adventureland Hotel.

Relief from Ice Skating adventure with the grandma's.

Christmas morning robe!

Tyler's new buddy, Ernie.

Myla's bathtime at grandma and granddad's.

Ice Skating Adventure...Aunt Carla, Lindsay's grandma and tyler and grandma.

The famous hiding spot.

Grandma time in the morning.

Granddad time...napping.

Reading with Granddad.

Playing with new trainsets....lots of track!

SNOW in Iowa, playing with Gavin at his house in his snow suit we borrowed.

We made our trip to Aunt Debbie's school and had recess and ate lunch with her class. They all were so nice and loved the kids!

Myla in her winter gear watching Tyler play at recess.

Christmas morning with Uncle Jimmy and Ginny.

One shot of the cousins...my camera didn't have the best shot.

Playing together Christmas morning.

Christmas morning in Savannah with Scott's parents.

Savannah Christmas Eve with JJ there!

Christmas Eve in Savannah and my homeade stocking from Scott's mom!

Mom and Grandma's visit re-cap

We had a great time with my mom and grandma here for thanksgiving week and Tyler's birthday. I made my infamous itinerary to make sure we had a plan for each day...a flexible itinerary that can be moved and adjusted as seems fit for 2 kids and 2 grandma and an aunt and uncle that work really crazy retail hours. Anyways, our week went a little like this:

Saturday after 1 wrong turn mom and grandma arrive around 11pm to our house. My mom decides to crash on our couch, however according to the itinerary she was supposed to stay at JJ's house.

Sunday morning mom and grandma forgot to feed Tyler breakfast and then met us for the 11am church service at SCC (with Tyler...they didn't forget him, but barely got him dressed :). After church we met Jenny at Pita Pit for a to go order before mom and Jenny headed to the Christmas in the South craft show. The rest of us stayed back and relaxed while Scott did some work. Mom cooked up some chipped beef gravy and Mom and Dad Shippy joined us for the gourmet cooking!

Monday's we found out is not a good day to go to Wormsloe (it's closed) so after some adjusting on Johne's day off we started and complete the 1st stage of a turkey pinata, had veg soup and corn bread for lunch and then took Myla to get her shots and headed to the grocery store for our meal plan for the week. When we got home we had to re-complete stage 1 of the pinata...the balloon popped out in the sun...oops. But we salvaged it! That night we had tacos at JJ's, I opted out for steak fajitas...every since Myla it's hard for me to eat ground beef ? And Tyler had a slumber party with Grandma A at JJ's...finally crashing after 11pm...Grandma exhausted!

Tuesday we let the pinata dry even more, we had a guest over for brunch and made pine cone bird feeders. What a blast that was, Tyler really enjoyed it and Greatma and Mrs. Wardlaw made their first pine cone bird feeder as well! Johne and Mom then went off to Wormsloe for the afternoon. With a babysitter resting at home I went out to do some shopping (the goal was to get all the IA gifts completed so mom and grandma could be FREE shipping!). Johne, Tyler, Scott, and Grandma A went to crab shack for dinner while Greatma, Myla, and I stayed home, had chili for dinner. Somewhere in there I finished a second coat of turkey pinata with a string wrapped around to hang it.

Wednesday Tyler played outside, Greatma took Myla for a walk while Tyler rode his bike, I finished step 2 of the pinata and baked a few cakes...tonight is decorating the pinata. We went to the mall and had lunch with Aunt Jenny at the food court, played at soft play and after naps we headed out to Bass Pro Shop for FREE pictures with Santa Clause. Both Tyler and Myla did really well and they let us take 3 pictures! We went back to our house for pizza and salad! My mom and I were up til 12 decorating the pinata and had a blast! It turned out so good...at 10pm we realized we didn't have any glue...but our handy neighbors were up and willing to share!

Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Birthday Tyler! We started off the morning with donuts and Black Friday Ad shopping at JJ's. then headed to Rob and Amy's house for Thanksgiving dinner (I made the ham at Mom Shippy's) and had Tyler's Birthday Party(see previous post)! After a long day and a buzzing headache we headed home and did some Internet shopping, got our list together for my mom to get up at 4am to do early Black Friday shopping!

Friday: My mom headed out and killed 3-4 things off my list before 8am! We chilled out Friday, Grandma and I did a little shopping with Myla, had a nice spaghetti dinner before my grandma, jenny, and I headed off to our Girl's night out to the Savannah Theater to see A Christmas Tradition. It was really cool for me because I knew someone in the show!!! It was really a great way to start off the Christmas season! When we got back home there was a surprise waiting for me...new curtains in the living room and no more vertical falling down blinds! I love them....they are perfect and cozy and easy! It is an early Christmas present from my mom and dad :).
And finally Saturday...a day of wrapping...wrapping with other people's wrapping paper...organizing, packing...I sent a bunch of clothes and baby items with my mom so we don't have to pay extra and check bags for our flight for Christmas! Around 3 we headed downtown to check out Holly Jolly something or other...it was pretty lame...but then waited 2 hours to eat at Vinnie's with a table of 7.5...mistake...we should have split up. We made it down to River Street in time to see 3 boats with lights on them...a little late. Tyler liked them and then there were fireworks...and oh yeah a surprise under my seat at Vinnies...a $20 box of pralines!

Sunday the plan was for mom and grandma to load up and head home. They didn't make it very far on Sunday...but I'm glad they didn't kill each other in 5mph traffic through ATL. The next day they tried to make up time...we won't go into that sad but funny story. Let's just say I called once and got hung up on and then again 20 minutes later and they were in laughing hysterics and Bert and Ernie were removed from their spot around the rear view mirror.

Tyler's Birthday!

Happy Turkey Birthday Tyler!

The crazy turkey cake that totally fell apart!

Playing "Hot Pumpkin" Tyler needed LOTS of help understanding how to pass it to the next person really fast. They all had fun though!

We played pin the tail on the Turkey...Tyler went first!

The "made with love" Turkey Pinata. My mom and I made over the course of 4 days! It was a blast and tons of great memories. Tyler didn't want to "bam" it...but did want the candy inside. He had one of his, "It's too loud and crazy" moments and retreated and wanted to go home! But I helped him rip open the "slightly re-inforced" pinata so him and the other kids could gather up the candy.

Blowing out all of his candles...he did it all by himself. The sure sign of a 3 year old!

And then opening presents!

Myla is half a year old already!

She weighed in at 21 lbs 9 oz

28.8 inches long

Still growing more and more off the charts.

Hopefully my NON-danty little girl will start to thin out over the next 6 months. She is wearing size 12-18 month sleepers and most 12 month clothes/outfits/dresses. She can still squeeze into some 9 month clothes.

She is still just so sweet. She is sitting up on her own now, playing and grabbing at everything. She is really interested in what we are eating...but doesn't really like to swallow the cereal and food that I can give her. We are still working on eating better...she has a funny tongue...it's very strong and pushes out all the time! Oh, and that tooth I spoke of months ago...still non-existent. I don't know where it went...but it's not coming up!
A fun fall day out on the swingset! Tyler is in a phase where he doesn't like his picture taken. This was a cool day on Nov 6, 2010.

Myla is 5 months!!!Tyler is Potty Trained!!!

Tyler's first prize for peeing 6 times in the potty and pooping once...fish...they didn't last long. Who knew they can't live in brackish water? The next prize was popcorn and a slushy at Target. Then a Big Ball...but no one is selling them anymore??? and tonight he gets a new small adult fishing pole...like mommy's. He is very excited. The next chart is going to be a little longer and tougher to get these prizes....then I have to figure out how to wean him from the reward system!

Tyler likes peeing on his potty best....but has gone both pee and poop in Big Lots! He was trained in 5 days...and has had only 1 accident since then! He said he watered the trees outside but didn't pull down his pants! Anyways, Scott and I are beside ourselves! We are so proud of him. However, now we are encountering the never ending excuses as to why he won't go to sleep at night. And he is getting out of his bed and sneaking around the house to find us. The other night he didn't finally go to bed until 11pm...after the 3 poops in the potty! Hopefully this will get better because Scott and I are getting rather frustrated...but at the same time he's so cute.....ugh!

Myla is growing so fast. She is such a sweet baby. Her sleeping habits are the greatest anymore. I guess I had it too good for those 2 months. Her teeth haven't poked through yet...but I can still see them. She has started eating rice cereal and today she had oatmeal for the first time. She is eating that better each day. She is so sweet for everyone in the church and MOPS nursery...such a change from our experience with Tyler. But now Tyler is so excited to go to his class at church! Speaking of...he's about to get a spanking...because he keeps yelling from his nap...he's been in there an hour and no nap yet....he will sleep!!!!! I think I will ignore him.

My beautiful babies.

Brother and Sister...AWWWW. Tyler still asks to hold Myla, but now he says too BIG!

Myla was having trouble sleeping for her nap...so I put her under this play gym and continued working on my computer...next thing I look over and she is OUT!

Gotta love the Bumbo. Not too much longer will those chubby legs fit. It's quite a hassle getting her out!

Tyler sometimes reverts back and wants to play with his old toys.

And look who found her toes? I think it is so cute to see babies do this. Look how flexible they are. Here is Tyler in the same pose....awww...
You can't tell they are brother and sister can you?

Tyler Rides a REAL bike

Cousin Andrew grew too big for his bike and let Tyler have it. He LOVES it and wants to go on a bike ride about as often as he wants to go to the dock! Thanks so much Uncle Rob and Aunt Amy for being so generous with all of the hand me downs. We are so grateful! Scott has a video that is so cute of him riding around our little island...just can't get it off his phone...

Can you guess why Tyler is eating Green Eggs and Ham?

Myla is still toothless....but she LOVES chewing on ice cubes and is still having restless sleep. Mommy is tired and my baby girl is in pain. I think both bottom ones are trying to come up at the same time. Hopefully they will break through soon and give her some rest.

Family boat ride to Hunter Park for Tyler to play. We caught this sunset on the way back. Myla seems to enjoy the boat rides.

Tyler has been having fun with Daddy on the dock and on the boat. First mate Tyler. and Captain Scott.

We got back from our family boat ride and they had something on their pole...ewww a gar!

Exersaucer

Tyler dressed Myla up in Beiber Fever bracelets. He thought it was really funny.

We got down the exersaucer for Myla to play in...I was surprised at how well she stood up in it. She doesn't like standing much.

Big brother Tyler teaching her all the toys.

Tyler when he was 4 months old in it! (you can definitely see the difference in skin tone between Myla and Tyler!)

Myla is probably teething. She is congested with clear fluid, a little more fussy, and restless sleep last night...up every 2 hours. It seems early to me...Tyler didn't break his first tooth until 10 months. But I do remember thinking he was teething for quite some time. We'll see.

The weather is turning beautiful here in Savannah, which means the sand gnats will be out again :(. But the outdoors is pleasant. Tyler still loves going to the dock, riding his bike, and we are working on the whining bit. He learned to use the cheese cutter today...watch out. It was precious watching him carve me pieces of cheese to put on my crackers.

Yesterday was a lazy Sunday and during naptime I let Myla sleep on the couch with me while I read a book. In the last week I finished 2 N. Sparks books, Dear John and The Choice. I love escaping into the life of these characters and usually need a few days to mourn the end of the book. Anyways, Myla was awake lying in between my legs on the couch just watching the trees sway back and forth outside. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to a peaceful sleep. It was the sweetest thing I've seen in awhile. Another unforgettable moment in motherhood.